AS schools across Delta resumed for the new academic session, parents have expressed a range of emotions regarding the current economic situation, from rising tuition fees, to increased cost of transportation.
Our correspondents, who monitored various schools in Asaba, and other parts of Delta State, reported mixed reactions from parents as they dropped off their children on the first day of the new term. While some expressed optimism about the academic year ahead, many raised concerns about the rising cost of education and transportation.
Speaking Mrs. Uche Amadi, a mother of three, lamented the hike in school fees, noting that the economic hardship has made it difficult to meet the financial demands of education.
“The cost of tuition fee has increased again this term, and with the way the economy is, it’s becoming harder to keep up. Even basic school supplies are now more expensive, and we have no choice but to provide, but it’s truly difficult” she said.
Similarly, Mr. Emeka Okocha, a parent from Asaba, expressed frustration over the rising cost of transportation. “Aside from school fees, the daily cost of transporting my children to school has doubled. Fuel prices have skyrocketed, and the transport fares have followed. It’s eating deep into our pockets, and we don’t know how long we can sustain this,” Okocha said.
In the same light, Mr. Obiora Nwala, raised concerns about how these financial pressures could affect their children’s education.
“We want to provide the best for our children, but when everything is so expensive, it forces us to make tough decisions. I was paying 70,000 for my daughter’s tuition fee, but today it’s 120,000. Some parents are already considering moving their children to public schools or opting for cheaper alternatives” he added.
Mr. Nwala called on the state government and other stakeholders to provide affordable transportation, particularly for students living in distant areas, as this would help ease the financial burden on their families.
However, not all parents shared a negative outlook. Mr. Adekunle Alabi, a civil servant, expressed cautious optimism about the new school year saying that ‘’Yes, things are tough, and the prices have gone up, but we just have to adapt. The education of our children is a priority, and we will find a way to make it work.
A Private School Administrator, Mrs. Grace Odili, acknowledged the concerns raised by parents, citing the difficult economic environment and inflation as reasons for the hike in tuition fees.
She explained that schools are also dealing with higher operational costs. “The reality is that the cost of running schools has increased significantly due to inflation and the rising cost of materials. We understand parents’ concerns, but these adjustments are necessary to maintain the quality of education we provide,” she noted.
The Delta State Ministry of Education has urged schools to be considerate of parents’ financial struggles and to avoid excessive fee hikes.
“We are aware of the economic challenges faced by families, and we advise school administrators to be mindful of this while setting fees. The government is also working hard to ensure that every child in delta has access to affordable education” he added.
